Decortype › Ceramics & Porcelain › Stoneware & Tea Ceramics

Raku ware

Japan tradition · 5 examples · indicative market tier: $50k–1M (high collector)

Raku ware (楽焼, raku-yaki) is a type of Japanese pottery traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies, most often in the form of chawan tea bowls. It is traditionally characterised by hand-shaping techniques, a high degree of porosity in the finished product (the result of low firing temperatures), lead glazes, and the removal of pieces from the kiln while still glowing hot. In the traditional Japanese process, the fired raku piece is removed from the hot kiln and is allowed to cool in the open air. Wikipedia →

Types & examples

Raku Ware Tea Bowl
Raku Ware Tea Bowl, 18th century
Art Institute of Chicago
Raku Ware Tea Bowl with Design of Descending Geese
Raku Ware Tea Bowl with Design of Descending Geese, Late 18th–early 19th century
Art Institute of Chicago
Raku Ware Teabowl with Image of Mount Fuji
Raku Ware Teabowl with Image of Mount Fuji, Late 18th century
Art Institute of Chicago
Red Raku Tea Bowl (Chawan)
Red Raku Tea Bowl (Chawan), 18th century
The Met
Black Raku Tea Bowl, Named “Kaedegure” (Twilight by the Maples)
Black Raku Tea Bowl, Named “Kaedegure” (Twilight by the Maples), late 16th century
The Met

Where to buy

1stDibsHigh-end antiques & design marketplaceBrowse listings → LiveAuctioneersAggregated live auctions worldwideBrowse listings → InvaluableAuction-house listings & price archiveBrowse listings → Christie'sMajor-auction results & upcoming salesBrowse listings → EtsyLiving artisans & vintage dealersBrowse listings → eBayBroad secondary market — vet sellers carefullyBrowse listings →

Each link opens a live, image-rich search for this craft on that marketplace. Listings rotate constantly; authenticate significant pieces independently — attribution quality varies widely outside museum collections.